News

When the Tampa Bay Business Journal announces its 2011 Healthcare Heroes on October 13th, four nominees with ties to All Children's Hospital will be among the 42 finalists.

In the Medical Professional/Non-Physician category, Norma Liburd, RN:

For children who need help from All Children's Pediatric Rheumatology Program, Norma is the nurse who makes treatment compliance worthwhile. Her "Rheum Service Credits" program allows kids to collect points toward gift cards for their cooperation in getting shots, medications and other treatments. For the families of these children, Norma is the clinical nurse specialist who makes sense of the medical terminology and provides a supportive shoulder available round-the-clock. To her peers, Norma is a tireless advocate and volunteer with groups like the Arthritis Foundation, Camp Boggy Creek, Easter Seals and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. She developed a widely used list serve for pediatric rheumatology nurses that is used nationally and internationally to promote the highest standards of patient care.

While most Tampa Bay residents associate the name with excellence on the ice, All Children's bears Vinny Lecavalier's name on its seventh floor. The Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital was made possible in part through a $3-million pledge from The Vinny Lecavalier Foundation. While his Foundation works to build hope for children and families battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders, Lecavalier himself hosts the families of children with cancer in his VIP Suite at several Lightning home games each season. "I've been fortunate to get to know some of these families. It's sad whenever you see kids that are sick. Coming to the games is an opportunity to put a smile on their faces. This is a chance to leave a legacy for them and so many others like them for years to come."

In the Physician category, James A. Quintessenza, MD:

Dr. James Quintessenza has held the lives of countless children in his hands - literally. As a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon at All Children's Hospital since 1988, Dr. "Q" has operated on young patients from newborns to teens who have serious heart defects. He was one of two surgeons who performed the Tampa Bay Area's first pediatric heart transplant at All Children's in 1995 - where, since then, 130 more youngsters have received a second chance at life through cardiac transplantation.

In the Team category, All Children's Pet Therapy Volunteers:

Our Pet Therapy team consists of outstanding individuals from the Tampa Bay area and beyond, and dogs ranging from a five-pound Micro-Schnauzer named Muffin to a one hundred and forty-pound Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Brew. Some are pound rescue animals and others are former show dogs. Our dog owners and escort volunteers come from all walks of life, including a war veteran, retired child protection investigator, entrepreneurs, retirees, an attorney and even an All Children's Hospital physician. The therapy dogs and owners have truly impacted patients and families on a deeper level that medicine and technology cannot touch.

Congratulations to our finalists - who are already heroes in our estimation!